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Missing links in sustainable food production in west Africa: the case of the savannas of northern Nigeria
Author(s) -
Chianu Jonas N.,
Tsujii Hiroshi
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
sustainable development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.115
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1099-1719
pISSN - 0968-0802
DOI - 10.1002/sd.238
Subject(s) - livestock , intercropping , food security , agriculture , agroforestry , production (economics) , cropping , germplasm , crop , mixed farming , agricultural science , agronomy , geography , business , environmental science , economics , biology , macroeconomics , archaeology , forestry
This paper evaluates six sustainable agricultural production practices (crop–livestock integration, cereal–legume intercropping, organic plus inorganic fertilizer combination, improved crop germplasm, improved livestock breeds and soil/water conservation) being promoted in sub‐Saharan Africa (SSA), using data from 160 farmers from northern Nigeria. The aim was to determine the missing links that have prevented increase in food production, poverty reduction and household food security expected from these practices. Results indicate weak crop–livestock integration (due to low manure production, inadequate ruminants, low production of cowpea and groundnut and low adoption of improved strip cropping), labor allocation bias against livestock production, cereal crop domination, low cereal–legume intercropping and use of fertilizers, limited combination of organic and inorganic fertilizer, low adoption of improved crop germplasm and absence of improved livestock. The paper concludes with recommendations to harness benefits from improved agricultural practices in the study area and similar ecologies in SSA. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.